What is the difference between Hunan chicken and Szechuan chicken?
In this brief article, we will answer the question, “What is the difference between Hunan chicken and Szechuan chicken?” and provide information on what exactly is both, which is higher in calories as well as how to prepare Szechuan and Hunan chicken.
What is the difference between Hunan chicken and Szechuan chicken?
The difference between Hunan chicken and Szechuan chicken is that Hunan chicken is spicier than Szechuan. Hunan chicken also tends to be more tangier. Szechuan chicken tends to be less spicy compared to Hunan chicken.
The spiciness in both Hunan and Szechuan is caused by different ingredients. For instance, Szechuan chicken has a high number of red chilies and peppercorns. On the other hand, Hunan chicken is spicy due to the presence of chili bean powder or paste.
The side dishes served with these chickens can also make a difference. For instance, Szechuan chicken is usually served with sesame seeds, bell peppers, and peppers. On the other hand, Hunan chicken can be served with veggies.
What exactly is Szechuan chicken?
Szechuan chicken is a spicy chicken dish that originated in the Sichuan region of China. Szechuan chicken has a bold and distinct flavor that can provide a numbing effect. The spiciness in chicken is contributed mostly by chilies.
What exactly is Hunan chicken?
Hunan chicken is a classic Chinese stir-fried recipe wherein thinly sliced chicken pieces are mixed with veggies. Apart from this ginger, spices, and rice vinegar are other ingredients that are added to Hunan chicken.
Which chicken is higher in calories?
Szechuan chicken is higher in calories compared to Hunan chicken. This is because Szechuan chicken is deep-fried.
After deep-frying, the chicken would be stir-fried. The breading of chicken with batter can also increase its caloric content. Hunan chicken comparatively can have only 100 calories per serving. This makes Hunan chicken lesser in calories than Szechuan chicken.
How to make Szechuan chicken?
You can follow the given steps to prepare Szechuan chicken:
- Keep one pound of chicken pieces and ¼ cup of cornstarch in a plastic bag. Add pepper and mix them well to coat them thoroughly.
- Keep a large pot over heat. Add oil over the pot for deep-frying chicken. Remove excess cornstarch stuck to the chicken. Place the chicken pieces one by one over heat. Do this only after the oil becomes hot.
- Cook the chicken till it becomes golden. They should not be pink. You can then drain the chicken pieces over paper towels to get rid of excess oil.
- In another skillet, add 1 tbsp of canola oil. Add 1 tbsp of minced ginger and 2-3 garlic cloves. Mix them well till they emit a good smell.
- Chop 2 bell peppers and add them over heat. Cook them for 5 minutes. Add 5-6 dried chile peppers and toast them for a minute. Switch off the stove.
- Keep a saucepan over medium heat. Add ½ cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp chili garlic sauce, 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar, and 2 tsp sesame oil. Add a tablespoon of cornstarch and simmer them for 5 minutes till they become thick.
- Place the chicken pieces over the plate and pour the sauce over them. Sprinkle a few sesame seeds on top and serve.
How to make Hunan chicken?
You can follow the given steps to prepare Szechuan chicken:
- Slice a pound of chicken breasts into smaller slices. You can freeze them before slicing as freezing can make it easier to slice the chicken.
- In a mixing bowl, add chicken along with 2 tbsp of cornstarch. Place a skillet over heat.
- Add 2 tbsp of oil to the skillet. Place the chicken pieces over the oil. Fry for 6-8 minutes till the chicken becomes brown in color.
- For the Hunan sauce, add 2 tbsp of vegetable oil over a skillet and allow them to heat.
- Add 2 tsp minced garlic to the oil and saute them for a minute. Add a cup of broccoli florets, 1 chopped red bell pepper, and ½ cup of thinly sliced celery.
- In the skillet, add the fried chicken pieces. Add 2 tbsp of cornstarch along with ½ cup of chicken broth.
- Add 2 tbsp of oyster sauce, 1 tsp honey, salt, 2 tbsp dark soy sauce, 2 tsp vinegar, 1 tsp honey, and 1 pepper. Mix them well.
- Add 2 tsp red chili paste and mix well again. Switch off the heat and garnish with scallions. Serve.
Conclusion
In this brief article, we have answered the question, “What is the difference between Hunan chicken and Szechuan chicken?” and provided information on what exactly is both, which is higher in calories as well as how to prepare Szechuan and Hunan chicken.
